LOS ALAMITOS, CA — Legendary 2000’s pop punk band Paramore returns after five and a half years with the brand new album “This is Why.” The band explores sounds of post-punk and new wave on this record, a new ground compared to the traditional pop punk of their first four albums and the synth pop sound of 2017’s “After Laughter.” The result is one of the best albums the band has produced to date.

Obviously, a lot of major things have happened since the band’s last release in 2017, so this album is full of themes of anger and discontent while simultaneously providing songs full of energy that can bring people to dance. Singer Hayley Williams provides passionate and powerful singing throughout the whole album with excellent backing from guitarist Yalor York and drummer Zac Farro.

The opening title track, the lead single to the record, features the best dance grove of the record as well as a powerful chorus that is sure to stick with you. The following track titled “The News” centers around anger at what is seen every day on the news in America.

Further into the record is the song “C’est Comme Ça,” which translates to the phrase “that’s just the way it is.” The song features a repetitive chorus that while annoying at first, quickly becomes an earworm. “Big Man, Little Dignity” features Williams singing about men without dignity or integrity that are able to do and get away with whatever they please. While it is the first song on the record to slow things down, Williams’ singing is still full of passion and emotion.

The next song “You First” brings the energy back up with lyrics about hoping karma comes for others before the band. Unfortunately, the rest of the songs on the record lose the intense energy of the opening of the album. While I wish the end of the record had some of the higher energy tracks like the beginning, the back half still contains great songs with high-quality performances. The closing track “Thick Skull” features Williams’ most passionate delivery with screamed vocals over somber instrumentals.

Overall, the album is a great listen. The sonic shift compared to their previous work shows that Paramore continues to have the drive to release great music. Lyrically and instrumentally the band remains passionate and full of purpose, impressive for a band that has been around for nearly 20 years. While the slower ending is a bit disappointing, the quality never drops off, resulting in one of the best rock albums of the decade so far.

FAVORITE SONG: “The News”

LEAST FAVORITE SONG: “Crave”

FINAL SCORE: 8.8